Before a single drop of cleanser even graces your visage, you have a choice to make: should you wash your face with hot, cold, or lukewarm water? The internet is predictably filled with passionate supporters of each option- read on for a few of the facts.
hot water
Washing your face with piping hot water can feel somewhat rejuvenating. However, in doing so you risk stripping your skin of its natural oils, making dry skin even drier. Conversely, dryness caused by scalding hot water can cause oily skin to over-correct by producing even more oil, which can lead to acne, clogged pores and the like.
While hot water tends to yield generally negative results, heat in other forms can be beneficial to the skin. For example, steaming your skin can help release trapped sebum and improve the absorption of your skin care products. Try massaging the facial cleansing oil into dry skin and removing it by placing a hot, wet towel over your face. The steam and heat from the towel will increase the permeability of your skin and really help the cleansing oil do its job.
cold water
Ice cold water can be similarly a little too harsh for the skin- it can cause irritation and in some cases, even rosacea flare-ups. Furthermore, the myth of cold water being able to shrink the size of pores has been proven false, since pore size is decided completely by genetics.
However, cold -but not too cold- water does still have its benefits for the skin. Cold water causes blood vessels to contract, creating a tightened feeling. It can help reduce puffiness in tired or dehydrated skin, especially around the undereyes. Cold water may not be able to change the genetic makeup of your pores but a splash around the eyes (for added effectiveness, followed up with our mymatcha all-over moisture stick) can certainly help you look more well-rested.
lukewarm water
As extreme temperatures haven’t proven to be particularly good for your skin, lukewarm water appears to be the safest and most reliable option. It can provide some of the benefits of steam without you having to risk stripping your skin of its natural oils. It’s the least likely to irritate your skin and the most likely to let your skin products do their jobs without disturbing your skin’s natural oil balances or aggravating rosacea.